The Presence Of Being - a MrC CJ - The End

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

How exciting. I really can't wait for more! You have a great talent for story telling!

Really, just call me Muzz!

[hamsterTK 93]

So mary is gone?

Well, like they say, nobody just dissappears...I think I have an idea where she went

[zane900 1]

Hmmm. Is this Garis perhaps going to be the next Zeus?

Cinatit, I loved your city journal enough to hate it, and I hated it enough to love it. Alas; I'm on a mary-go-round ride.

Brilliant! In any case, here's one awe-inspiring city journal. One at no time disputes whether you merit your custom member label.

[Simfan34 11]

Mary's just-gone!

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Mary's looking for her lamb.

Unfortunately, it's most probably inside a casserole somewhere.

Hehe.

[Nardo69 51]

"People do not simply disappear" - but if they do it sometimes has the effect of an earthquake on a small community ... especially if they reappear - one way or the other ....

Looking forward to the next update ...!

Bernhard

[MrCinatit 30]

It had been two weeks since Garis had seen Mary. It had been two weeks since anyone had seen Mary.

     He and Bistrom kept the small pumpkin plants, which were now beginning to sprout. They pulled several weeds from around them.

     Bistrom shook his head. “These plants are not well, Garis. I fear they will not be mighty.”

     Garis nodded. “No. They look sick already.” He looked around. “The entire town looks sick.”

     Bistrom stood, hands on hips as he surveyed the land. “You are right, Garis. You are right. It is almost as if the land is giving up its color, and that Sol is forever hiding from us behind the clouds.”

     Garis stood, throwing a weed into a nearby bucket. “You are right,” he said quietly. “When I talked to The Old Man a few days ago, he said the very same thing. It was something he could not explain. It was something he did not understand…but he said it seemed as though our little world were growing dimmer and dimmer.”

     The two stood in silence for a while, before going back to work.

     “How is The Old Man?” Bistrom asked as he squished a bug he had never seen before between his fingers.

     “The last I talked to him was four days ago,” Garis said. “He was doing okay. But, I have not seen him since.”

     ‘People do not simply disappear,’ he thought to himself.

     "Garis," Bistrom asked. "I have a foolish question to ask you."

     "No question is too foolish," Garis said.

     "Is it me, or does the world seem less bright?"

     Bistrom nodded. He was relieved he was not the only one who noticed it.

     For weeks, it seemed as though the color of the valley were slowly seeping away.

     And it made him sadder to know others also noticed.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Honestly...it will get more light-hearted. Eventually. No, really. I'm telling the truth. Why do you keep looking at me? Do I have some sort of spot on my face?

AfroThunda - Thanks very much - one of my favorite of CycleDogg's newer terrains. And I have long had a weakness for desert terrains.

Muzz - Thanks for the compliment on my story telling - but, of course, I have always thought there are much better, but do study them extensively. In the end, they all seem to have the same advice: Love what you write, and believe what you write.

hamsterTK - hehe...you might have an idea where she went...but there is a good chance you are wrong (no offense ). Of course, I am sure you realize I have many, many, many tricks up my sleeve.

zane900 - lol, I have created quite a conflict in myself - of course, telling you oh so much, but telling you oh so little is helping quite a bit, I am sure 

Simfan34 - Yes, she is. Hmmmmm. 

Shadow_Assassin - *hiccup* I don't know what you are talking about. Lamb chops, anyone?

Nardo69 - With the way this little village operates, who knows - who knows why they disappeared, and where they went, and if they will come back - and if they do come back, what will they come back as. Hmm.

Thanks very much for looking in, folks, it is quite appreciated.

And, as always, comments, critiques and questions are not only quite appreciated, but very welcome and encouraged.

Take care.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Do I still need to tell you how awesome this is? I shouldn't think so, but ok then. It's very, Very, VERY Awesome! You've got me (and everyone else by the look of it) gripped and we are following it fastidiously. I like your landscape, and what is the best is the story. Keep it up Mr. C, although I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that!

[jayo 44]

It looks like alot of though as gone into this city journal,can't wait for more

jayo(jack)

[homeandaway 1]

very, very interesting my friend!.

looking forwards for more as always!

PM if you need anything

~Alex~

[Livin in Sim 83]

Hi, MrC,

Yep, the colors are fading--we're going from Picasso to Monet--to eventually...Ansel Adams??  If the village inhabitants only knew, it's the dreaded Photoshop Phenomenon...cue dramatic music...OK, I'll stop being a smartypants.  To make it up to you, I will do my own reply:  Liv--Shaddap!

Seriously, this is very engrossing.  Mary has "just" disappeared (What to say?  Oh, yes, "I never saw that one coming."  And I never suspected I'd be saying it so soon, nice.)  Garis remembers the good times...perhaps there is more to this than has been revealed.  Of course there is!

Way to practice the ol' sleight of pen; or keyboard in this case, I guess.

--Liv

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Things look better in monochrome.

I don't know why, it just does!

Hmm... this reminds me eerily of a bed time story I heard a long, long time ago.

[hamsterTK 93]

Maybe everyone is just going colorblind at once

[doodlea21 31]

I never usually read story based CJs, but I'm afraid to say this one's got me hooked. Keep the work up!

[homeandaway 1]

keep up the good work and cant wait for another update sir!

Take care

~Alex~

[MrCinatit 30]

He had not seen Mary for three weeks.

     It felt as though the town were empty – and others in the town felt the same thing.

     The streets were emptier. People did not talk to each other as much. Many had the looks of misery in their eyes.

     A fight had broken out. It was over a triviality – one thought their name sounded better than the other. After many hours of deliberation, the elders decided both would be cast from the valley.

     Both were sent on separate boats. Neither looked back. The event was more solemn than usual.

     Entire days went by when Sol was blotted from the sky – and the town seemed a little darker than usual.

     “I did not even feel like coming into work today,” Bistrom said, breaking a long silence as the two picked weeds from the garden. “I have never felt like this.”

     “I have had the feeling for weeks,” Garis admitted. “I do not like it either.”

     A light rain fell on the two. “Sometimes, it seems as though the weeds will eventually win this war,” Bistrom said quietly

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Unfortunately, I will have to do replies later - I just got up and am still remarkably tired. but...

As always, thanks for looking in, folks - it is appreciated.

And as always, comments, critiques and questions are not only appreciated, but quite welcomed and encouraged.

Take care.

[Simfan34 11]

I can feel the emptyness! Great story.

[SpecialEddie 3]

Where oh where has Mary gone? And is the color really seeping away from the valley? I hope that's just figurative. Imagine living in a world of black and white!

[hamsterTK 93]

the big computer that Garis's brain in a vat is hooked up to seems to be the fritz

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Imagine living in a world of black and white!quote>

It's called Pleasantville.

Well, I wish this'd hurry up and we'd get to the finding bit, instead of moping around.

[GreekMan 246]

I'm back Mr.C! great pics!!!

who is your icon person? he looks familar.........

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

This is like Lost, more and more questions are getting piled on without any answers! Just as good as ever, Mr. C!

[homeandaway 1]

great pics and storyline my friend!., its a bit like 'Of Mice and Men' in the valley and all that!.

Take care and cant wait to see more!

~Alex~

[2ch.net simplayer 186]

I've just read this CJ. So much suspence!!!! Creativity shining from the unsinkable city journalist! :-D

I like this mystical atmosphere.... I hope the thing about angry stars are not because of the mess Star League is making in space :-P

[Zelgadis 638]

Great! I like the style of writing that you're using. It's quaint without being off-putting and it's appropriate for this kind of story.

I can't help but wonder what it is that those boats are sitting on. It doesn't look quite right... Is it the angle of the picture? Hmmm...

ISF

[MrCinatit 30]

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Sorry - no update right now. I will probably do one later this evening.

I have been working on putting together several more updates - I only have a couple of more completed ones left. Fortunately, I have 116 pictures ready, prepped and slightly edited. I also have a very good idea of the story behind them (yes, I have already made some slight changes to the story line in my mind).

I will, however, post a teaser shot:

Yes, that is right - once we are outside the valley, the more vibrant colors are back (yes, I have come up with a reasonable explanation for that).

Now...replies:

Muzz - You don't need to tell me...but, hey, it helps feed my ego (of course, many will say that is already overfed as it is ).

jayo - Yes, but I would not call it work myself. This is enjoyment (or I would not do this lol).

homeandaway - thanks very much, and will do.

Livin in Sim - Hey! Only I can tell myself to shaddap in my journal! This is my journal, darn it (I will now tell myself to shaddap).

And, yes, it was the old mood-inducing slight of keyboard - I had actually started doing it a couple of weeks ago, but with enough subtility that it was not terribly noticed until recently.

And first, Mary comes up missing - who is next? Hm.

Shadow_Assassin - Sometimes, things do, actually - I plan to use both the vibrant colors and the subdued colors both throughout the journal - kind of depends where Garis is at, and all that jazz.

hamsterTK - My dad - who is colorblind - argues that we are just seeing too much, and that we are the ones who have the color/sight problem lol.

doodlea21 - Glad to have you hooked to the wonderful world of City Journals - with a story.

MrCinatit - Shaddap!

Simfan34 - Thank you very much - these were actually kind of depressing updates to write lol

SpecialEddie - Ah ha - there is a comment that gave me an idea later on (of course, I don't want to tell what one...don't want to give anything away ) - but thank you.

hamsterTK - Sometimes, a brain in a vat needs a chance to roam, a chance to be free, perchance a chance to dream...

Shadow_Assassin - Oh, we might be mopping around for quite a while...knowing me.

GreekMan - My avatar is Carl Sagan, who was one of the more prominent astronomers from the 1960s until the 1990s. Behind the scenes, he was partially responsible and worked with most of the planetary probe programs (Viking, Pioneer, Voyager). He also helped re-popularize astronomy with his groundbreaking Cosmos PBS series. He was also one of the very early scientists who began expressing concern about global warming. It was also his book, Contact, which served as a vehicle for the movie staring Jodi Foster of the same name.

Muzz - 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42. No...wait...why did I just post that?

homeandaway - Of Mice And Men...and interesting comparison. Of course, we do have the two fellow friends - I just hope one does not have a great (but unfortunate) fondness for puppies that leads to tragedy.

2ch.net simplayer - Wait...so, the Star League is responsible for all of the rain and stuff! Dag nab it!

zelgadis - Thanks very much - I have been trying to keep this rather simple, though there is a bit of a complicated storyline, as well (as well as many hidden messages...but with me, who knows).

The boats...ah, the boats. Yeah, that is just the beach bug playing tricks on me. I know there are fixes, I just have not gotten around to glancing around for them. With this bug, some water-based structures make the water kind of disappear - ruining the effect.

Thanks for taking a look here, folks, it is appreciated.

And as always, comments, critiques and questions are not only appreciated, but quite welcomed and encouraged.

Take care.

[asturianu 4]

Nice updates, MRC!! I wuold like to see all them in their respective times, but my grandma dead some day ago and I wasn't ready to do something in the computer, and so busy too, but now I feel better and I can visit some journals before going out, and in this time I have to say WOWOWOWOWW!!!!! Of course that you got the feeling you wanted! Well, see you soon, and great job with dessert too!

Cristian

[cowcorn 11]

Great CJ of course. I've just seen this for the first time today. I seem to repeat myself in every comment I put in a CJ these days but it's true. Anyway I've just read it all in one shot and really it's worth it. The dept you put into your characters really stand out. For once I caught one of your CJ from the start so I'll be glad to follow it and read it all with pleasure. This is actualy very inspiring... and inspiration is really something I needed.

[MrCinatit 30]

He had not seen Mary for weeks.

     He had not seen The Old Man for weeks.

     Garis was growing very sad.

     One afternoon, he climbed the cliff and walked the mesa.

     The wind howled, more than usual.

     He looked all over the valley, walking both sides of the cliff.

     Still, he saw nothing of his old friend.

     Still, he heard nothing of his beloved Mary.

     And Garis grew sadder.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

asturianu - Thank you very much for the compliments. I am very sorry to hear about your grandmother.

cowcorn - Thanks very nice - it is always good to serve as inspiration

Thanks much for looking in, folks, it is quite appreciated.

And, as always, comments, critiques and questions are not only quite appreciated, but quite encouraged and welcome.

Take care.

[Livin in Sim 83]

Hi, MrC,

I was telling that smartypants Livin in Sim to shaddap, not MrCinatit.    If Mr Cinatit shaddap's, that would be most unfortunate, because I will not get to read what happens!     I won't know what happened to Mary, and the others (?!) that (will?) have disappeared/been banished.  

The little village is looking a bit forlorn.  The way you have it set up with the trees and the water, the paved streets turning unpaved, it seems quite secluded and woodsy.  The divergent style of buildings is a quirk that adds to the off-the-beaten-path aesthetic.  Nice coastal cities, they look a bit mystical.  Hidden messages, huh?  

Yeah, I read Contact before the movie came out, and was greatly entertained by it.  Has he ever written any other fiction?

Great play-writing (get it?), see you next. 

--Liv